On This Day in 2017, Celtic travelled to Tynecastle knowing that a victory would seal a sixth consecutive title in a row. The news that supporters were dreading came through that both Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele had failed to make the starting XI as Brendan Rodgers opted to utilise Patrick Roberts in a ‘false nine’ role.
The visiting support, crammed into two sections of the Roseburn Stand, erupted after a brilliant piece of interplay between Sinclair and Roberts resulted in Celtic’s opener.
Roberts set up Sinclair’s second as Celtic steamrolled the capital side. Then Armstrong’s effort with the inside of the right boot made it 3-0 from outside the box as the celebrations began.
Celtic were in a relentless mood, McGregor capitalised on a lapse pass from the Hearts defender to play in Roberts, who was due a goal, who smashed his shot into the net. 4-0.
Scott Sinclair was through for a hat-trick before he was fouled in the box. He slotted the spot kick into the net as the Hoops sealed the league with eight games to spare.
It is perhaps ironic that six years later Rodgers has left Leicester City. The words from another trip to Tynecastle may ring true, ‘You traded immortality for mediocrity’.
